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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I've been in the mood for some historical medieval romance and grabbed this set by Jude Deveraux. It's some of her older work, so bodice ripper style, but that's fine. This is the second installment of the Montgomery brothers featuring Stephen Montgomery, the second oldest brother. King Henry VII has ordered him to marry a Scot laird, and Stephen shows up three days late to his wedding (the reason is covered in the previous book). Bronwyn is not pleased. And so the book starts with an enemies-to-lovers trope. Actually, Stephen is pretty reasonable, determined to make friends with the Scots and follow his bride's requests. Bronwyn is the one who doesn't think and acts selfishly, which gets tiresome as the book goes on.
It's an okay story, but two issues caused me to give this three stars. First, Henry VII had no say over Scottish lairds and who they would wed. I think this story takes place just before he married his daughter Margaret to King James V of Scotland, and it would have made more sense to me if Stephen and Bronwyn's marriage was part of the treaty. I know this is fiction, but the author does a nice job in other historical details, and I couldn't get past this one.
Secondly, the book wraps up very quickly with a lot of dangling threads. Maybe they get covered in the next book in the series, but it kind of ruined this story for me. Mary, the lone Montgomery sister, is raped and dies, but there are no repercussions from the Montgomery brothers? Or Henry VII for that matter - he wouldn't put up with this from one of his Earls. Bronwyn and Stephen have been separated in anger but immediately forgive and forget with no real discussion. I don't know, but anyway, the blurb for the next book looks good - sort of Robin Hood-ish.
It's an okay story, but two issues caused me to give this three stars. First, Henry VII had no say over Scottish lairds and who they would wed. I think this story takes place just before he married his daughter Margaret to King James V of Scotland, and it would have made more sense to me if Stephen and Bronwyn's marriage was part of the treaty. I know this is fiction, but the author does a nice job in other historical details, and I couldn't get past this one.
Secondly, the book wraps up very quickly with a lot of dangling threads. Maybe they get covered in the next book in the series, but it kind of ruined this story for me. Mary, the lone Montgomery sister, is raped and dies, but there are no repercussions from the Montgomery brothers? Or Henry VII for that matter - he wouldn't put up with this from one of his Earls. Bronwyn and Stephen have been separated in anger but immediately forgive and forget with no real discussion. I don't know, but anyway, the blurb for the next book looks good - sort of Robin Hood-ish.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse
Stephan is given a very reluctant Bronwyn for his wife. She hates his guts right from the start because she is Scottish and he is English. Him being late for their wedding is just icing on the hate cake. Bronwyn is is a strong woman but boy is she a hothead! Lots of adventure await in the second installment in the Velvet Series and it is a book you do not want to miss out on reading. I devoured ever word and wished for more.
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicide, Kidnapping